Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2004

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the veteran's hearing loss and skin disorder. The veteran is presumed to have experienced noise exposure during service.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and assigned an effective date of March 1, 1992. The claim was reopened based on new evidence provided by the appellant.

The veteran's service-connected tinea versicolor is shown to be productive of a disability picture that more nearly approximates that of exudation and exfoliation with extensive lesions, warranting an initial 30 percent rating.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings on right and left carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as psoriasis with eczema craquelé are being remanded due to inadequate VCAA notification.

The Board has granted service connection for pseudofolliculitis and assigned a 10 percent disability rating effective from September 27, 2000.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral onychomycosis with tinea pedis was increased to a 30 percent rating effective June 25, 2003. The condition had been rated at 10 percent prior to that date.

The veteran's claim for PTSD was denied an effective date prior to October 4, 1996.,The veteran's claim for lumbosacral strain and disc disease was denied an effective date prior to June 8, 1995.,The veteran's claims for hearing loss of the right ear and tinea cruris were both denied an effective date prior to January 1, 1994.

Service connection for tinea pedis and tinea unguium was granted with an effective date of December 2, 1994. A rating in excess of 30 percent for these conditions is denied.

The veteran's claims for increased diabetes, COPD, and chloracne were denied as secondary to Agent Orange exposure. The VA found no evidence linking these conditions to service or Agent Orange exposure.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The claims of increased disability evaluations for varicose veins and service connection for eczema are pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression with memory loss, chronic diarrhea, cervical spine disability, and skin rash as they did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD or were not linked to his in-service stressors. The diagnoses offered have been depression.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a personal hearing and compliance with VCAA requirements.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a relationship between the claimed conditions and his military service.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's diagnosed tinea pedis was incurred during active military service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities involving his hands, knees, wrists, or respiratory system as a result of service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for dermatitis, peripheral neuropathy, and PTSD are being remanded due to the need for compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA). The RO must ensure that all VCAA notice and development obligations have been satisfied. A VA psychiatric examination is also required.